CELEBRATION OF LIFE
Please join us to Celebrate the Life of Louie Montante on August 26, 2025 (his birthday).
A Celebration gathering will be held on the above date at the Clayton American Legion following a 3:00pm graveside service at Clayton’s St. Mary’s Cemetery with Military Honors provided by the United States Air Force and the Clayton American Legion Color Guard.
Louis L. Montante, 92, Clayton, NY, passed away Tuesday July 15, 2025, at samaritan Medical Center after a sudden and unexpected diagnosis of Mediastinal Lymphadenopathy Adenocarcinoma. He passed with loving family by his side.
Louie was born in Rochester, NY on August 26, 1932 to the late Peter and Caroline (Callari) Montante. He is pre-deceased by his brother Kenneth.
When Louie was 16, he met the love of his live, his “honey” the then 15 year old Rose Jenny Ferrara. They married on August 29, 1953.
Louie served in the United States Air Force from 1952-1956 spending 13 months in Alaska during the Korean Conflict. He finished his tour of duty in Sumter, South Carolina until his discharge in 1956. That same year, his parents purchased what was then Benedicts Tourist Court in Clayton. Louie moved to Clayton with his wife and young daughter to help his parents run their new new business renamed Montante’s Tourist Court (now Lawrence View). His parents went back to Rochester winters but Louie stayed in Clayton where he began a 42 year career as an Engineer for Frink America. He and his family had a home in the village of Clayton and would move and live at Montante’s from May – September for 23 years when the business was sold.
Louie fully retired from Frinks in 1999 and he and Rosie became Palm Bay, Florida snowbirds. in 2000 he had the opportunity to become a Dock Master at Clayton’s Downtown Village docks. His smile was a beacon to all that tossed him a line. He had to relinquish his Dock Master duties after 17 years when Rosie’s health no longer allowed her to travel back and forth from Florida north to NY. He spent 5 years caring for Rosie not being able to return to the Village that he called home and the people he considered family. Rosie passed away December 26, 2023.
Louie loved the River, was a long time mentor for the Maverick Ski Club and an avid Remote Control airplane enthusiast building battery operated and gas model airplanes from scratch. He belonged to a Palm Bay PC Club and will be missed every Sunday at their “Executive” meetings.
In October 2024, Louie was proud to be a participant in the Space Coast Honor Flight detail to Washington, DC with Dara Bulterman-Oliver as his escort.
Louie is survived by his three children Carol (Randy) Ramsey, Peter (companion Donna) Montante, Clayton and Joseph Montante, Gunnison, CO. Grandchildren, Heather (Terry) Craddock, Devyn, Deryck (Tori) and Jeryd (McKenzie) Montante and Jada (Alec) Gallimore. Step-grandchildren Kristy (Rob) Gault. Great grandchildren Kyle Craddock, Hudson & Hayes Montante and step great grandchildren Mason & Tucker Gault. He is also survided by his sister Gay (Allen) Prachel, Ocala Florida, brother in-law Salvatore (Kathy) Ferrara, Loveland, Colorado, along with numerous nephews and cousins.
Louie’s family is overwhelmed with the out pour of condolences as we navigate through our loss. He will be missed by many.
A Celebration of Life will be announced soon.
Al&Sandy Thompson
Louie was always there to help us get in and out of our Boat. He made us feel special .
He had a big smile like he was waiting for us to return from our trip.
He was kind, he was helpful , he was one of a kind , He was Louie ❤️
Al&Sandy Thompson
Louie was always there to help us get in and out of our Boat. He made us feel special .
He had a big smile like he was waiting for us to return from our trip.
He was kind, he was helpful , he was one of a kind , He was Louie ❤️
John and Jeannine Hammersley
Our sincere condolences to the Montante Family, Carol, Pete and Joey, Always a warm familiar face, he was a big welcome committee to so many. What a life he lived and great kids he raised, we will truly miss him. Our hearts go out to you all during this time of sorrow-
John Heaslip
A long time Friend who will be sadly missed rest in peace, my friend
Deborah Hochadel
Our sincerest sympathy and condolences to the Montante family and friends. Louie you will be missed at the docks sitting with his old pals who looked forward to seeing him daily. We will miss his sweet smile, stories, and I’ll especially miss his hugs to greet me. My love to you and Rosie as you spend eternity together. Love Bill and Debbie Hochadel
Deborah Aubertine
Rosie isn’t alone anymore. Bet they are both grinning from ear to ear. Sorry for your loss Carol, Pete, and Joey.
Carol Pierleoni
My sincere condolences to my Cousins, Carol, Peter, Joey and the Montante Family.
Please know that you’re all in my Heart and Prayers.
RIP Babe
Sally Bogenschutz
Sending my condolenses to Carol, Peter, Joe, and their families. Louie was such a presence in Clayton…Always a greeting with a huge smile. I was glad to see him again last summer after such a long time. He really hadn’t changed at all. He will be missed by all of you, but you have lots of memories to hold on to.
Deborah Phinney
My condolences Carol and family on the passing of Louie.
Jackie Tower
Holiday Park will not be the same without Louie. we will his smile and hugs and kiss. he is at peace with Rosie. you will be missed my friend.
Love you Jackie
Sheila Striemer
May you rest in peace dear Louie as you are once again reunited with your “honey”, Rosie.
Our world is much better because of your kindnesses! You are certainly missed by all!
Fondly,
Sheila and Carl Striemer
Misty (Faust) Partridge
Louie was my neighbor growing up. He was there to help my mom and us with any handyman needs. Many memories of him coming to the rescue of a single mom and 3 girls. He knew we didn’t have much so he did all he could. I remember prizzle cookies and he would sneak me a couple when him and Rosie would make them. Such a great guy and an incredible loss for the community. Always had a smile for everyone. Rest Easy dear man.
Heather
Thank you Misty. I’m glad my grandfather was there for you and your family.
Kim & Lee Raymond
Pete &family. So sorry for your loss. You can tell he just radiated with joy with that smile. May many blessed memories help you through this difficult time. Hugs to all.
Chris DeLaere
Our condolences go out to entire family on the loss of a great man & father especially to Carol. Joey, and Peter. Over the 20+ years we have known your parents, it has been like we have known them our whole life. They have always treated us like family. We had common locations where they lived and my wife lived in Rochester including her family which lived in same neighborhood as Louie & Rosie grew up so that connection was always a subject of conversations over the years. Then our connection with the USAF and our careers. Louie would always mention Shaw field and I would say Shaw AFB; he would say “not back in my day”; I heard that comment a lot. Then our common interest in RC airplanes was always #1 in our multi weekly conversations. Between flying, maintaining our planes and the Valkaria flying field we could talk for hours on the phone and in person over a couple of drinks (aka to Louie “Toddy”). Louie was great RC pilot and was very passionate about everything he did within the hobby. If something had to be done at the field, Louie was always there and would push to complete it. I would get to the field on normal time and there is Louie working on the task already; I would ask him if he flew already and he would say yes; where have you been. This is a great loss for everyone that knew Louie and he is dearly missed by his Florida family. RIP my Friend.
Carol Bogaert
We first met Louie when he was dockmaster. We became one of the “bench buddies” even though we were islanders. Our emails continued over the years and when Louie was able to come back to Clayton he would stop in for a visit since I was now a mainlander. I’m so glad I got to visit with him this June. Will miss that smile and hugs. RIP Louie.
Kelly
Carol, Pete & Joey-
Too many memories to share.
May you always hang on to all the great memories that you made with your Dad-he certainly was one that very few could replicate.
My Heart goes out to you and your families ,❤️
RIP Louie
The Chalk Family
Our heartfelt condolences on the passing of your Dad. He will be missed by all of us.
Lt Gen retired Jack Woodward
Louise and his smile were a fixture at the Clayton docks and at Palm Bay for years. Louise assisted my father-in-law Herb Leach a neighbor in Palm Bay with his remote boat almost weekly which brought smiles to both of them. Then bumping into Louie the dock master at he docks weekly all summer just brought more smiles for all of us plus Louie knew an ice cream cone was soon to show up plus some good stories. Herb was 97 and they enjoyed each other’s company. Loved the guy. He made the world better!!
Tom and Martha Millett
Louis will certainly be missed by many, all that knew him… He held me up more than once at the dock during Ski Club days… Later in years, whenever coming in to Clayton by boat, we would look for him and as always, he’d be there to assist, if needed, but more so to chat with ‘locals’ about the what’s happening around town… not gossip just news… Sharing one particular experience… a wedding on an island utilized a service to transport guests, however four were left at the dock as they missed the boat… Louis. let’s say ‘captured’ us and we ended up transporting the guests to the island event. Even in a 23′ boat it was a task, as none of them were… shall we say, ‘light weight’, and obviously not ‘boat savvy’. It proved to be very fruitful, as they generously tipped the ‘captain’ for the transport allowing us to dine…’on them’, after the delivery. We thanked Louis and wanted to share the ‘tip’, but he refused, emphatically. That is the heart that Louis had his entire life… to help…all, each and any ‘one’! He was a gift to Clayton. Sincerest condolences to Carol, Peter and Joey. We understand you pain…condolences to every resident of Clayton, and to every visitor that had the privilege of meeting him…to see that honest smile, sharing his knowledge, his caring and his ability while assisting you to secure your vessel at the dock. We were all fortunate to have known him.
Tom and Martha Millett
Louis will certainly be missed by many, all that knew him… He held me up more than once at the dock during Ski Club days… Later in years, whenever coming in to Clayton by boat, we would look for him and as always, he’d be there to assist, if needed, but more so to chat with ‘locals’ about the what’s happening around town… not gossip just news… Sharing one particular experience… a wedding on an island utilized a service to transport guests, however four were left at the dock as they missed the boat… Louis. let’s say ‘captured’ us and we ended up transporting the guests to the island event. Even in a 23′ boat it was a task, as none of them were… shall we say, ‘light weight’, and obviously not ‘boat savvy’. It proved to be very fruitful, as they generously tipped the ‘captain’ for the transport allowing us to dine…’on them’, after the delivery. We thanked Louis and wanted to share the ‘tip’, but he refused, emphatically. That is the heart that Louis had his entire life… to help…all, each
Bob DiPenta
I have known Louie about 8 years since we met at the flying field. I loved him like a grandfather.. I always told him he was my idol because of his happy demeanor and his stamina to run around like a spring chicken. He was a great friend and mentor. My wife loved him dearly also. She saw him at all the picnics, he loved her deviled eggs..lol. We will miss Louie dearly.. Our condolences to all of his family that we didn’t get the pleasure to meet.. We will meet again flying our planes in the sky..
Love you Louie
Susie (Chambers) Mitchell
The first time I met Rosie and Louie at a party at Belavias’ (Rosie was dancing on the table!), I thought they were the most fun “grownups” ever! I miss them, and the old days in Clayton. Love to all the Montantes during this sad time….